Eagle-eyed readers have noted that in the past day or so shipping containers have begun to be removed from the site along Half St. SE known as the Fairgrounds. However, I have confirmed that a smaller version of the Bullpen will be back for 2017, on the northern portion of the block, nearest M Street and across from the Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro station entrance.

The southern end of the block, just north of Nats Park, is being cleared to make way for construction expected to begin in coming months on JBG's as-yet-unnamed rental/condo/retail project. The northern end is slated to eventually be an office building (currently known as 25 M), but there's been no timeline announced.

The Bullpen first arrived on the southern end of the block in 2009, and in 2011 the beer garden that an esteemed local blogger dubbed Das Bullpen debuted on the north end. It was in 2012 that the entire block was ringed by shipping containers and christened as the Fairgrounds, though the planned gameday flea market lasted about two days, leaving the space to become the beer, cornhole, live music, and food truck establishment that existed until now.

ttassa says: (11/22/16 9:09 AM)Thanks for the update. JD, is it possible that the JBG south end of the block will be developed, w/ working retail, by the ASG in 2018? Seems like that may be our only hope for Half Street development before the game.

JD says: (11/22/16 9:23 AM)Generally you can imagine an 18-to-24-month construction timeline for most of these buildings. So they would need to light a fire, but even if the retail weren't ready, they would have a good chance of the building's exterior being completed by ASG, if they start soon.

If Jair Lynch is wanting to get started across the street, at least much of the excavation work is already done, which could shorten the timeline a bit there.

ttassa says: (11/22/16 2:20 PM)Thanks, even if it's just exterior, that will look good optically. I'm excited to see how the look and feel of the ballpark (see view from home plate towards "skyline") changes as some of these sightlines change.

jdc says: (11/22/16 7:39 PM)Burn those crates down (sadly they do not burn, I assume). I cannot wait to not have to see these things. Shame that the northern end will linger.

dude says: (11/22/16 10:26 PM)jdc, I'm with you. It sad one bit that the containers are on the way out.